Student Groups

The University of Michigan also offers students a great many opportunities to get involved with other like-minded students and community members outside of the classroom by way of student-led organizations. For a larger listing of "Science & Technology" oriented organizations, see the listings available via U-M Student Affairs Maize Pages. Open up the search for groups and clubs of all kinds.

A few organizations with biology (or other biology, neuroscience, psychology, or pre-med) involvement are listed below.

(Part of an organization you think we should feature? Send an email with the information! Biology-related student groups may also request funding in the fall term for speakers and events. Deadline is Sept. 21.)

Biology Student Alliance (BSA)

As one of the largest biology-related student organization on campus, BSA aims to provide students interested in biology a platform to socialize, connect with peers and mentors, and gain exposure to the different career paths and subfields. Some of our highlight events include faculty speakers, professional/graduate student panels, and backpacking gatherings. Email bsa-eboard@umich.edu for more information, and we look forward to having you on board!

Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Society (MEEBS)

The Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Society (MEEBS) is an informal club designed to create a community for EEB-interested students from any major. We have biweekly meetings where faculty, graduate students and professionals give talks, we discuss or research and view documentaries, and hold skill development workshops. We also take field trips to zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and more. Contact our faculty advisor Catherine Badgley or check out our Facebook page for more information.

Michigan Synthetic Biology Team (MSBT)

The Michigan Synthetic Biology Team (MSBT) is a student-lead club that enters the annual International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in Boston. Students work together to design a project using the most cutting-edge technology and carry out self-lead experiments in lab to perfect it's design. Through independent research, experimental design, collaborative brainstorming, community outreach, active fundraising, and exploration into public-policy, members of the Michigan Synthetic Biology Team gain, not only the hard skills necessary to do lab work, but also the ability to navigate through the complex problems that arise during experimentation. (Read more about MSBT in the LSA article.)

Botany Undergrads Doing Stuff (BUDS)

Botany Undergrads Doing Stuff (BUDS) is a community of UM students (graduate and undergraduate), faculty, and staff with general interest in botany and plant sciences. Events and opportunities include plant walks, field trips to local farms, businesses, and wildlife areas; botanical movie nights (think The Martian); and advising or tutoring regarding plant sciences at UM and beyond. Find out more via our Facebook page or blog or get involved by emailing the club at budsumich@gmail.com.

Neuroscience Students Association (NSA)

The Neuroscience Students Association is a student organization for students with an interest in neuroscience. This organization provides networking opportunities, seminars, and exposure to the depth of neuroscience. The organization also aims to actively participate in service to its community and provide the public with information on neuroscience, health, and general science topics. They hope to broaden their horizons of members by exposing them to medicine, public health, research, and engineering. Neuroscience is, at its very core, an interdisciplinary subject. It requires a relatively deep understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Beyond that, when it is crossed with computer programming, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or animal studies, it gains an even broader scope of possibilities. The organization hopes to expose students to the many facets of this broad, advancing field. Visit the NSA webpage for more information.

STEM Society

STEM Society aims to expose K-12 students, especially in lower socioeconomic areas, to inquiry-based learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. The society hopes to disprove common stereotypes that students may have about science as well as to increase their awareness of the diverse opportunities available in STEM fields. In addition, STEM Society strives to provide undergraduates with an interest in teaching or sharing their passion for science with opportunities to do so. Contact information.

Students participating in field research through the U-M Biological Station

On- and Off-Campus Facilities

Our modern teaching and research laboratories house electron microscopes, controlled environment rooms, analytical and preparative centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and other tools essential for modern research in all areas of the biological sciences.